# A blow against Fred Phelps **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 15, 2001, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-against-fred-phelps/81892 "2001-09-15T22:29:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![John\_Corrado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a88e4f/32.png) [@John\_Corrado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Corrado)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2001, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-against-fred-phelps/81892/101 "2001-09-20T19:14:04Z")
Okay, folks, here we go. Let me warn you in advance: I know next to nothing about technical matters, such as setting up a web page or getting a domain name. Consider me a Pointy-Haired Boss in terms of that. On the other hand, I was involved in trying to set up a Not-For-Profit organization in the state of Virginia years ago. So I still have some friends and contacts in that endeavor, and can hopefully get this thing set up as a real, honest-to-God NPO. The kind you can write off donations to. **Jane D’oh!** - you offered to be treasurer. What state are you located in? If it’s not Virginia, we may have to do some research on how to specifically set up an NPO in that state- what kind of charter is necessary, etc. I’d prefer to set up the Phelpswatch bank account in a bank located close to you for ease of deposit (so we don’t have to do a "send checks to the Treasurer, who sends them to someone else, who mails them to Gumby the Depositor); likely, that means turning this into a real NPO means setting it up by the laws of which state you reside in. **People with web knowledge** - I’ve seen some good ideas on domain names which are open. Could anyone who knows how to do a search find out if either of the following are available: [godhatesaids.com](http://godhatesaids.com), and [phelpswatch.com](http://phelpswatch.com)? Thanks! **People with money to donate** - give us some time to set up a real account for the money to be sent to, but we’ll announce it here. **People with time and/or media skills to donate** - find out who to contact with press releases regarding our creation. Obviously, we don’t want to actually say anything until we get a domain name and a bank account, but once we do, we want to try and make a splash of attention. Again, thank you all for your time, your interest, and your donations. While things get set up, it’ll be pretty quiet; but once we’re ready to roll, we’ll need all the enthusiasm and stomach (hey, someone will have to actually read Phelps’ site to keep track) we can muster. ---
**Author:** ![Esprix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprix/32/7899_2.png) [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2001, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-against-fred-phelps/81892/102 "2001-09-20T19:20:41Z")
Ah, seems I took too long deliberating (I was unaware I was under a time restraint). Congratulations, **John**. > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by **Libertarian** _ > > Esprix, with all due respect, if you, of all people, don’t have time for this, given the resources and help at your disposal, given the very nature of the project, given the broad support for your leadership — if _you_ don’t **make** time for this, then it is a trivial cause after all. Oh, dear. For this, **Lib** , I’m afraid I might have to meet you in The Pit… ☹ Esprix ---
**Author:** ![Arden\_Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b487fb/32.png) [@Arden\_Ranger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arden_Ranger)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2001, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-against-fred-phelps/81892/103 "2001-09-20T19:22:25Z")
I’ll start on a list of contacts for press releases. Time, I have in abundance. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2001, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-against-fred-phelps/81892/104 "2001-09-20T19:29:37Z")
**Esprix** Let it go. For the sake of the cause. Anything I said or did was for the purpose of giving this the push it needs. I love you and respect you very much. **John** I checked DirectNic, and [godhatesaids.com](http://godhatesaids.com) and [phelpswatch.com](http://phelpswatch.com) are both available! ---
**Author:** ![pldennison](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9fc29f/32.png) [@pldennison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pldennison)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2001, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-against-fred-phelps/81892/105 "2001-09-20T19:31:49Z")
Re: Press releases As I mentioned, I’ll gladly pay to have one sent out over my own company’s wire, in the name of whatever domain/NPO name we choose. Sending it out to the Kansas wire, we would hit all the media detailed [here](http://www.businesswire.com/bwusa/national.shtml#kansas#kansas), [here](http://www.businesswire.com/ps/ps-usc-web.html), [here](http://www.businesswire.com/ps/ps-usc-disclosure.html), and whatever categories we want from [here](http://www.businesswire.com/ps/ps-usc-trademedia.html). **Esprix** , I implore you not to take Lib to the Pit. I’m certain he meant what he said with respect. Is it something that could be handled via e-mail? ---
**Author:** ![LifeOnWry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/96bed5/32.png) [@LifeOnWry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LifeOnWry)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2001, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-against-fred-phelps/81892/106 "2001-09-20T19:32:38Z")
Thank you, **John Corrado**. Um, having looked at the database, may I make one more small suggestion? You have bolded “on behalf of Westboro Baptist Church”. I venture to suggest that this phrase can be utterly misconstrued on the part of the charities and possibly the media… and could possibly garner support from unknowing individuals FOR Phelps. I think we need a more specific statement noting that our contributions are a response to the hate he has spewed. I realize and appreciate the delicious irony in donating to these causes in his name, however, now that this is out of the realm of the ether and about to be a reality, we can do a lot more good than just irony. Perhaps something along the lines of “on behalf of the victims of The Westboro Baptist Church’s hate speech”? Thoughts? ---
**Author:** ![manhattan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manhattan/32/7_2.png) [@manhattan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manhattan)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2001, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-against-fred-phelps/81892/107 "2001-09-20T19:45:39Z")
I’d like to suggest that in addition to **PLDennison** ’s fine list we add a local charity. I’d like one of the outcomes here to help those Topekans who have to put up with his idiocy on a regular basis to know that they are not alone. I can testify first hand how much it means to have someone come from out of town to lend a hand. However, I am also aware of the danger of over-diluting contributions. It’d be a pity to be sending each charity a teeny-tiny check. Thoughts? ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2001, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-against-fred-phelps/81892/108 "2001-09-20T19:48:38Z")
Whichever way John says is fine with me. The page is only temporary anyway until he assigns a server. (I can do only ASP.) But if people give money thinking they are _helping_ Phelps to hate, so much the better! It isn’t the irony that matters, but the fact of where the money is going. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2001, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-against-fred-phelps/81892/109 "2001-09-20T19:54:05Z")
That makes sense to me, Manny. In fact, Baker has already offered to contact the local (Topeka) newspaper. He has connections there. ---
**Author:** ![LifeOnWry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/96bed5/32.png) [@LifeOnWry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LifeOnWry)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2001, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-against-fred-phelps/81892/110 "2001-09-20T20:03:46Z")
> [@](#): > > But if people give money thinking they are helping Phelps to hate, so much the better! It isn’t the irony that matters, but the fact of where the money is going. No, no, no that’s not what I meant! What I meant was, people might see a donation as coming FROM the Westboro Baptist Church and think “see, those people aren’t really that bad, look, they’re giving money to a good cause” which could dilute the seriousness with which they should take this kind of hate speech. The press may cover it as “Phelps’ change of heart” and good gravy, THAT could lead to problems. I agree that the money going to a good cause is what matters. I think, though, that it is important to be very obvious about what we’re doing and why. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2001, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-against-fred-phelps/81892/111 "2001-09-20T20:12:06Z")
Oh, I see. Good point. I imagine all that will be cleared up soon. In the meantime, I’ve changed Phelps Watch per your specifications. See if it’s more to your liking. ---
**Author:** ![Arden\_Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b487fb/32.png) [@Arden\_Ranger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arden_Ranger)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2001, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-against-fred-phelps/81892/112 "2001-09-20T20:21:39Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pldennison \* > \*\*Re: Press releases > > As I mentioned, I’ll gladly pay to have one sent out over my own company’s wire, in the name of whatever domain/NPO name we choose. Sending it out to the Kansas wire, we would hit all the media detailed [here](http://www.businesswire.com/bwusa/national.shtml#kansas#kansas), [here](http://www.businesswire.com/ps/ps-usc-web.html), [here](http://www.businesswire.com/ps/ps-usc-disclosure.html), and whatever categories we want from [here](http://www.businesswire.com/ps/ps-usc-trademedia.html).\*\* Holy hell! That’s quite a list! There were a few other places I thought of I didn’t see. Not many, mind you! I’ll work on the contact info for the ones I didn’t see. ---
**Author:** ![LifeOnWry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/96bed5/32.png) [@LifeOnWry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LifeOnWry)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2001, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-against-fred-phelps/81892/113 "2001-09-20T20:21:39Z")
Much better, thanks 🙂 Now, I am off to find someone who knows something about making links, so I can be sure to stick one wherever I go. ---
**Author:** ![CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crankyasanoldman/32/11670_2.png) [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrankyAsAnOldMan)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2001, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-against-fred-phelps/81892/114 "2001-09-20T20:28:59Z")
Manhattan, I had to rub my eyes. $1,000. You’re a mensch. Things are tight around the Cranky Household, or I’d offer more, but please put me down for $20. More if things improve. I have no time to offer, alas, and my coding skills bite. But a little cash to help get you started, I am in for. May I also take a moment to say I love the way RickJay words things. ---
**Author:** ![Arden\_Ranger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b487fb/32.png) [@Arden\_Ranger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arden_Ranger)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2001, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-against-fred-phelps/81892/115 "2001-09-20T20:35:44Z")
Oh, hey. I was telling a friend of mine in radio advertising about this earlier and they brought up a point. Who wants to be the contact person? The one that people can call/email with questions or, more specificly, interviews? ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2001, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-against-fred-phelps/81892/116 "2001-09-20T20:42:16Z")
I’ve been a little busy and I haven’t popped into this thread yet. I’d like to say that I think this is the noble-est of causes and I hope Phelps gets wind of it and has a coronary. Alas, I am in no feduciary position to contribute money, and my computer skills are pretty much limited figuring out vB code. But I offer my moral support as well as my time if there is anything I can do (I don’t know what it may be, but if it’s a matter of signing petitions, attending local demonstrations, forwarding emails or whatever - I’m in). Even so, I think I should be used as back up as I anticipate great upheaval in my future (moving - finding new work - personal stuff I shant go into - and the like). I can only hope this post is taken in the spirit in which it is intended - one of support and not of whining. That really is the best I can do at the moment. [sub]for more on the story, go find it yourself in the Pit[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2001, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-against-fred-phelps/81892/117 "2001-09-20T20:58:47Z")
Okay, Cranky, you’re in. You too, Batty! Thanks for coming in! You’re doing something good. ---
**Author:** ![Esprix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprix/32/7899_2.png) [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2001, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-against-fred-phelps/81892/118 "2001-09-20T21:00:02Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by **Arden Ranger** _ > > Who wants to be the contact person? The one that people can call/email with questions or, more specificly, interviews? There should probably be more than one person doing this, but this might be right up my alley (to coin a phrase). I was also going to offer to help with writing and/or web content, 'cause I talk too much and I wryt reel gud. (For anyone who cares, my grievance was handled in the Pit.) Esprix ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2001, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-against-fred-phelps/81892/119 "2001-09-20T21:05:11Z")
Okay, I have to stop and fix my wife’s supper. I’ll come back and catch up on entering anyone who comes in. Thank you all! ---
**Author:** ![Esprix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprix/32/7899_2.png) [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2001, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-against-fred-phelps/81892/120 "2001-09-20T21:07:14Z")
Oh, and I’d donate money, but I’m broke and will be for the forseeable future. ☹ Esprix [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-against-fred-phelps/81892.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-blow-against-fred-phelps/81892.md?page=7)